‘Do not be afraid to discipline children’

The Bishop of the Sekondi Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Rt Rev. Edward Ofori Donkor, has called on parents, especially mothers, not to pamper their children but to discipline them when they do the wrong thing.

‘‘Do not be afraid of your own children, let them know that you laboured to bring them into this world. Teach them your culture and tradition and ensure that they learn and abide by them,’’ he stressed.

Bishop Donkor, who made the call in an address read for him at the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Bethel Methodist Women’s Fellowship in Takoradi in the Western Region, also expressed concern about what he described as the practice by some parents to communicate with their children in the English Language instead of their mother tongue.

Role of Women’s Fellowship

The theme for the celebration was, ‘‘Witnessing to Christ: Holistic Spirituality -The Role of Women’s Fellowship.’’

‘‘I am saying that if the child is able to speak well and be conversant with his or her own dialect, he or she will definitely speak very good English. We are gradually losing our culture and tradition by adopting foreign cultures. You, as mothers, should be more responsible for the proper upbringing of your children since the father is not always at home,’’ Bishop Donkor indicated.

Mrs Effie Amissah-Arthur, the Past President/Treasurer of the fellowship, urged the women to reflect on the aims and objectives of the fellowship; ‘‘Making your home a Christian home because you will make your husbands and children Christians.’’

Madam Amissah-Arthur, who is also the mother of the Vice President, Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, recounted the beginnings of the fellowship and said, ‘‘Just as you are desirous to achieve total spirituality in all areas of your lives, you should work harder to promote high moral standards by constantly reading the Bible, praying and attending church services.’’

Purpose of fellowship

The current President of the fellowship, Sister Esther Abena Dadzie, in her welcome address, said the women’s fellowship had guided, supported and aided many women to be trained, managed and raise their families to experience Christ through various programmes.

Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area, who chaired the function, noted that women were considered as the pillars of the family and, therefore, it was incumbent on them to be advisors to all and sundry; and offer good moral teaching for their children.